Change of Voice

1. Introduction to Voice

• Voice in grammar refers to the form of a verb that indicates whether the subject of the sentence performs or receives the action.
• Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
• Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.

2. Active Voice

• Definition: In active voice, the subject of the sentence does or acts upon the verb.
• Structure:
  • Subject + Verb + Object
• Example:
  • Active: “She (subject) writes (verb) a letter (object).”
  • Explanation: The subject “she” is performing the action “writes.”

3. Passive Voice

• Definition: In passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb.
• Structure:
  • Subject + form of ‘be’ + Past Participle (V3) + (by + agent)
• Example:
  • Passive: “A letter (subject) is written (passive verb) by her (agent).”
  • Explanation: The subject “a letter” is receiving the action “is written.”

4. General Rules for Converting from Active to Passive

1. Identify Object
   • In passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
   • Only transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) can be converted to passive.
2. Change the Verb Form
   • Use the appropriate form of ‘be’ (am/is/are/was/were/be/been/being) + past participle (V3) of the main verb.
   • The form of “be” depends on the tense of the original sentence.
3. Subject becomes Agent (introduced by “by”)
   • The subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the preposition ‘by’ in the passive sentence.
   • If the agent (original subject) is unknown or irrelevant, it can be omitted.
4. Adjust Pronouns & Verb Tense
   • Pronoun changes: I → me, we → us, he → him, she → her, they → them, etc.
   • Tense changes involve using the correct “be” + V3 structure.
5. Retain the Original Meaning
   • The action remains the same; only the focus shifts from doer to receiver.

5. Tense-wise Transformations (Active → Passive)

Below are common tense transformations. Note how the form of “be” changes according to the tense:

1. Simple Present
   • Active: “He writes a letter.”
   • Passive: “A letter is written by him.”
2. Present Continuous
   • Active: “He is writing a letter.”
   • Passive: “A letter is being written by him.”
3. Present Perfect
   • Active: “He has written a letter.”
   • Passive: “A letter has been written by him.”
4. Simple Past
   • Active: “He wrote a letter.”
   • Passive: “A letter was written by him.”
5. Past Continuous
   • Active: “He was writing a letter.”
   • Passive: “A letter was being written by him.”
6. Past Perfect
   • Active: “He had written a letter.”
   • Passive: “A letter had been written by him.”
7. Simple Future
   • Active: “He will write a letter.”
   • Passive: “A letter will be written by him.”
8. Future Perfect
   • Active: “He will have written a letter.”
   • Passive: “A letter will have been written by him.”

6. Other Common Transformations

1. Modals (can, could, may, might, must, should, etc.)
   • Active: “She can solve the puzzle.”
   • Passive: “The puzzle can be solved by her.”
   • Structure: Modal + be + V3.
2. Imperative Sentences (commands, requests)
   Active: “Open the door.”
   • Passive: “Let the door be opened.” (formal) / “You are requested to open the door.” (request)
   • Common structure: “Let + object + be + V3” or use appropriate polite form.
3. Interrogative Sentences (questions)
   • Active: “Did he write a letter?”
   • Passive: “Was a letter written by him?”
   • Active: “Who wrote this letter?” (subject question)
   • Passive: “By whom was this letter written?”
4. Omission of Agent
   • If the subject (doer) is unknown or unimportant, the “by + agent” phrase can be omitted.
   • Example: “The window was broken.” (We don’t need to say “by someone.”)

7. Example Sentences (Active → Passive)

1. Simple Present
   • Active: “They clean the house every day.”
   • Passive: “The house is cleaned every day (by them).”
2. Present Continuous
   • Active: “The chef is preparing dinner.”
   • Passive: “Dinner is being prepared by the chef.”
3. Past Perfect
   • Active: “She had completed the project before the deadline.”
   • Passive: “The project had been completed by her before the deadline.”
4. Simple Future
   • Active: “He will deliver the package tomorrow.”
   • Passive: “The package will be delivered by him tomorrow.”
5. Modal
   • Active: “You must follow these instructions.”
   • Passive: “These instructions must be followed (by you).”

8. Key Points for Quick Revision

1. Identify the Object: Only transitive verbs (those with objects) can be made passive.
2. Use Correct ‘Be’ Form: Matches the tense of the original active sentence.
3. Past Participle (V3): Always use V3 for the main verb in passive.
4. Subject → Agent: Moved to “by + agent” (optional if the doer is irrelevant).
5. Agent Omission: Common if the doer is unknown, obvious, or unimportant.
6. Don’t Change Basic Meaning: Focus remains on the same action, just flips the emphasis.

Change of Voice MCQ Question and Answers